Neymar rides to the rescue

He is small in stature and slightly built, but Neymar showed he can carry the hopes of a troubled nation with an electrifying performance in Brazil's World Cup opener.

With pressure piled on his young shoulders it would have been easy for Neymar to crumble, but instead the 22-year-old seized the moment with two goals in the 3-1 win over Croatia.

Helped by a large slice of luck, Neymar's dragged shot in the first half bounced in off the post. In the second half, he struck on a soft penalty kick that eluded Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.